Workers at electric wheelchair maker Sunrise Medical based in Dudley have voted for strike action in a dispute over pay.

 

Strike action called

 

Four separate days of strike action have been called, which will cause widespread disruption to production at the Brierley Hill factory. The strikes will take place on Monday 14 June, Friday 18 June, Monday 21 June and Friday 25 June.

 

The workers are seeking a three per cent pay increase and an additional day of holiday for Christmas Eve. Workers were balloted for strike action as a result of a breakdown in pay talks.

 

Management response

 

Workers were particularly disappointed with the response of management as they have worked hard in recent years to support Sunrise Medical through a period of intense organisational change, the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit.

 

While strike action has been called there is still the possibility of the dispute being averted by the company returning to the negotiating table or successful talks being brokered by the conciliation service Acas.

 

Fair deal needed

 

Unite regional officer Su Lowe said: “Workers at Sunrise Medical have repeatedly gone the extra mile to ensure the company is successful.

 

“They simply wish for their hard work, flexibility, commitment and dedication to be properly rewarded.

 

“The breakdown in pay talks means that the workforce felt that they had no option but to take strike action, very much as a last resort.

 

“If strike action does occur it will inevitably result in major disruption to the production of electric wheelchairs at the factory.

 

“Even at this late stage strike action can still be avoided either by Sunrise Medical returning to the negotiating table with an improved offer or through constructive talks brokered by Acas.”

 

  

ENDS

 

Notes to editors:

 

Electric Wheelchair warning as Dudley firm ballots for strike action

 

During the coronavirus crisis Unite is working to keep workers and the public safe, to defend jobs and to protect incomes.

 

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications officer Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235 or 0203 371 2067.

 

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Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Len McCluskey.